A fabulous Labor Day weekend once again showed us myriad of reasons why college football is the greatest game in the land. No other sport offers the swings of emotion, crazy plays, fandom and extreme passion that the college game does. And it teaches us lessons, old and new, every week. So what exactly did we learn?
Texas Love
We learned, once again, that the media simply loves Texas and will look for any opportunity to pump them up. No, that’s not the Aggie in me talking; it’s true. If you deny it, you’re living in dreamland (and wear burnt orange yourself). Seriously, what other team in America can go from unranked, give up 47 points at home, and vault all the way to number 11 in the polls? Yes, that was an unbelievable game on Sunday. Yes, it was against Notre Dame. That same Irish team that will lose three other games this season. Texas is back? Tap the brakes. Great win and they’re on the right track, but they’re not the 11th best team in the country. They’ll get a chance to prove it, however.
Texas Non Love
Speaking of tap the brakes, that is exactly what the pollsters are doing with Texas A&M, even though they basically did the same thing that Texas did – defeated a ranked team at home in overtime after blowing a double-digit lead. The Aggies are ranked 20th. That’s fine with me, and about where they should be. A&M teased the nation in the last two years’ openers with wins over ranked opponents. Until they win after October 1, they’ll be doubted. This team is different though – it has a very good defense (the best in years) and finally an upperclassman quarterback who’s a leader. It will be interesting to watch. I cannot wait until Tennessee comes to town on October 8.
UH is for Real
The Big 12 should simply expedite Houston’s admission to the Big 12, solely based on their thumping of OU on Saturday. It was, perhaps, the most impressive victory of the young season. Tom Herman is a hot commodity, and rightfully so. The real question is whether or not he will be in Houston at this same time next year. (Psst – he won’t. He’ll be in Baton Rouge).
LSU Ain’t Doing Jack Squat
I picked LSU to win the SEC and go to the playoff. Oh, what was I thinking? I was fixated on all that returned on defense when what I should have noticed is that that Brandon Harris is still there at quarterback and Cam Cameron is still the OC. Translation – this offense won’t score unless Leonard Fournette carries it on his shoulders. This is Les Miles’ last year as LSU head coach.
OU Will Have Three Losses By October
The defending Big 12 champ still plays Ohio State before facing TCU in Ft. Worth on October 1. Expect them to lose each of those. Oh, and then they’ll get Texas at the Cotton Bowl. Baker Mayfield had a great 2015 but can he turn things around from a rough start? He’ll be OK; this actually is not a bad team. But their record won’t show it. They’ll begin and end the season in Houston, playing in the Texas Bowl.
Quick Hits
- Bama is good
- Clay Helton is not the answer at USC.
- Josh Rosen will win the Heisman Trophy in 2017.
- Kenny Hill will be just fine at TCU after a rough start to his Frog debut.
- Tennessee is about as overrated as it gets.
- Georgia will win the SEC East.
- Michigan-Ohio State will be a playoff game.
- So will Clemson-Florida State.
- Oklahoma State will lay in the weeds (again) and ruin someone’s season (Texas).
- Baylor is still good but their depth has taken a significant hit.
- How long until Texas Tech realizes that they don’t have a head coach?
- Could Texas play Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl? Yes and we’ll see and hear 7,632 media opinions on why the rivalry should be renewed on a regular basis.
- Gus Malzahn will also be fired.
- Gary Patterson won’t, as he wins the Big 12 again.
